Signal light



Feb. 4, 1941. c. M. BoLsER S IGNAL LIGHT Filed May l2, 1959 MN NNNwN IQ A TTORNEYW` Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PTET OFFICE 1 Claim.

An object of my present invention is to provide a signal light particularly designed for trucks and other vehicles and being of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object is to provide a structure the design of which lends itself to the mounting of a plurality of signal light housings on a single mounting bar with a foolproof means for electrically connecting the diierent light bulbs together, and including an improved form of socket connection fo-r each bulb.

A further object is to provide a structure of this character including the usual tubular bayonet sockets for the light bulbs, in which a rigid or immovable base contact is mounted and a novel type of assembly is inserted between the base Contact and the bulb to make an electrical connection between the two, and also to keep the bayonet pins properly engaged with the bayonet slots so that the bulbs are effectively retained in position against any undesirable dislocation.

Various other objects of the invention and features of improvement characterizing the same will be brought out in the course of the detailed specication, after which those features deemed to be patentable as well as novel will be particularly set forth in the appended claim.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of the apparatus for embodying the features of improvements.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signal light embodying my invention, with the right hand half of the mounting and a portion of the central light housing broken away and parts shown in section to more clearly illustrate the construction;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an assembly that is inserted in a socket member of my construction;

Figure 4 is an enlarged end elevation of a mounting bar of my signal light; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view somewhat similar to Figure 2, showing a modified construction.

On the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference character B to indicate generally a mounting bar and H a. housing. 'I'he bar B comprises a channel shaped member Ill and a closure plate I2, A plurality of the housings H are mounted on the web of the channel shaped member III as by welding or the like. For this purpose the channel member is formed with raised portions I3 which t the housings H.

In each housing H is a socket member I4 in the form of a tube having a closed lower and per- 5 forated end. The socket member I4 is provided with bayonet slots I5 and is adapted to receive the base I6 of a light bulb Il. The bulb Il is of standard construction having bayonet pins I8 received in the bayonet slots I5.

In the bottom of each socket I4 is a rivet I9 constituting a base contact. The rivet I9 is suitably insulated from the metallic bar I0 and socket I4 by an insulating washer 20, an insulating sleeve 2l and insulating strips 22 and 23. The lower ends of the rivet I9 are riveted over a strip of metal 24 which extends longitudinally through the casing formed by the bar elements I0 and I2. The strips 22 and 23 insulate the strip 24 from the bar B and also insulate a terminal 25 therefrom. The terminal 25 extends through the conductor strip 24, thus serving as a means to supply current to each of the base contacts I9.

During assembly, the strip 22 may be placed in the channel member I Il and the conductor strip 24 riveted to each of the base contacts I9. After the terminal 25 is inserted then the insulating strip 23 and the closure plate I2 may be slid endwise into the channel shaped bar IIJ Within terminal flanges Illa, thereof. These flanges at their ends are then pressed inwardly as at Ib (see Figure 4) to retain the elements I2 and 23 against removal. Eventually screws may be inserted through perforations 26 in the ends of the bar B for mounting the entire signal light on a truck body or the like.

Lenses 2l are mounted in the housings H and retained by the usual split wire rings 28. Within the housings, annular ilange members 29 are spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to serve as stop flanges for the lenses 2l.

Interposed between the xed or rigid base contact I9 and a base contact 30 of the bulb I'I is a coil spring 3l. It is supported by a washer 32 having a bore 33. The washer 32 is made of suitable resilient material, such as rubber, so that it frictionally engages in the socket I4 and its bore 33 frictionally engages the spring 3|. The spring is normally slightly longer than the distance between the 4contacts I9 and 30, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2. Accordingly when the bayonet pins I8 are finally seated in the recesses I5a oi the bayonet slots I5, the spring 3l is under compression so as to retain the bulbs against undesired displacement. Contracting the length of the spring expands its diameter and this is readily taken care of due to the resilient nature of the washer 32. The result, however, is a removable assembly of spring 3l and washer 32, which may be removed for replacement if desired, but

VA'which normally will remain in position by friction and serves as an effective electrical connection between the contacts I9 and 3U. It also serves at the same time as a means to engage the bayonet pins of the bulb with the bayonet slot depressions 15a for bulb retention purposes.

In Figure 5 I show a modified construction in which a housing H is mounted on a support S as by rivets 34. Instead of having a base contact in the form of a rivet, a bolt I9' is used which serves also as an electrical terminal to which a current supply wire may be directly connected.

Portions of this figure similar to the prior gures bear the same reference numerals with the additioni of A grommet 35 serves as a means to connect the socket member I4' to the housing H. The bore of the grommet is large enough to avoid electrical contact with the contact bolt Having described specific embodiments of my invention together with the operation thereof, I desire it to be understood that this form is selected merely for the purpose of facilitating disclosure of the invention rather than for the purpose of limiting the number of forms which it may assume. It is to be further understood that various other modifications, adaptations and alterations may be applied to the specific form disclosed to meet the requirements of practice without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention except as set forth in the claim appended hereto.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

In a light of the character described having a cylindrical socket member provided with bayonet slots to receive the base and bayonet pins of a light bulb, and a base contact mounted in the bottom of said socket; a separate assembly interposed between said base contact and the base of the bulb, said assembly comprising a flat washer formed of resilient material and of suitable size to frictionally fit the inner surface of said socket member, a spring through the bore of said washer and frictionally engaged therewith, the ends of said spring being at and extending to positions beyond both faces of said washer and the normal length of said spring being initially greater than the distance between the base of said bulb and said base contact when the bulb is inserted in said socket.

CLARK M. BOLSER. 

